"Come on baby let's play"

Before I start, I want you to notice the variations (within the same week) of a Texas winter. The shot with the hat and gloves you might be thinking they just wanted to get them out for fun, but no, the weather that day was worthy of the Michigan-like winter get-up. Then, within the same week, panties in the back yard or at the lake--this has been going on for a couple months now.

With Lorin gone all day to school, Ryan and Izzy have become quite the make-believing maniacs together. First thing every morning I hear Izzy say "Come on baby, let's go play upstairs," and Ryan's response is variations of "Yoohoo, that will be fun!" Then if my agenda doesn't interrupt them they can play for endless hours. Here's a few pictures of them hangin' out together:
At the library just maxin and relaxin together! And hangin' out at Lorin's concert.











Some other fun goings on: Izzy's crazy day at pre-school and Lorin's "Flat Stanley" song at the PTA meeting

Christmas pics

We had a great Christmas with my brother, Karvel, and his family. It was complete with lots of traditions from my youth: scones for Christmas Eve dinner, sleeping "under" the tree, gathering 'round for the nativity story, and Santa creating his magic!
(Chrissy, Karvel, Summer, Ryan, Lorin, Natalie, Kimmie)
The girls love being teased by their cousin, Stephen. Izzy and Ryan waiting for Santa...Santa can be pretty frugal and even bring pre-owned gifts ;)
Lorin is pumped about her remote-control batmobile!
Wow! Another Christmas down.

Pre-Christmas December Highlights

Dear Friends and Family,

This has been an eventful year for us! Cory graduated from the University of Michigan and is keeping busy with a new job. We are excited to own our first home and feel settled here in Texas. Lorin loves second grade. Izzy's cancer treatments continue to be very effective and she is growing up happy and strong. Ryan's got us all laughing non-stop.

We hope you are having a great holiday season. We miss and love you!

Love,
The Costleys
Cory, Kerri, Lorin, Isadore, and Ryan
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
So yeah, the Christmas card didn't make it to everyone's mailboxes, but we do love and miss you all--please accept the blog card as proof :)

Ok, I kind of wish this shot had been taken in time to make it on the card. My brother, Lane, flew in and brought us all cowboy hats--informed us we can't be true Texans without 'em.


So having my Mom here for the first 2 weeks of December was a Christmas wish come true. She brought that Christmas magic that I remember growing up. These are outfits she made for the girls (one of about 49 projects her and I completed).
Ryan, after sitting on Santa's lap (very hesitantly at first) opened up her goody bag and said "There's no Cinderella Dollie in here!" She was pretty sure that the thing she asked him for would magically be in the bag he gave her post-lap time.
The Neiman Marcus parade was amazing!

Izzy's 5th Birthday happened on the 18th. It really hit us that we questioned, last year, whether or not we'd see this day for her--our cancer survivor! (her blog has b-day details and pics)
Here's the rest of the fun shots!

Quick Family Shots

I had my cousin come and help me with some quick snapshots of the fam hoping for one worthy of a Christmas card--thought I'd post a couple. We have been having so much fun together!

Happy Halloween

Comments from the girls after the trick-or-treating (with a plethora of good friends) was that Halloween was even better than they thought it would be! 2 of these costumes have been warn for a couple of months straight now, one was last second...can you guess? :) Love these hooligans!


Lorin has got her poses down to a science--even the eyebrows have to say "Superman" or she's not satisfied.

Highlights 1,2,3, & 4

#1. Ryan's dress-up Joy School party. I said "show me your pretty make-up" and this was her response. (for full story see Ryan's blog)

#2. Izzy posing and pumped to go on her Pre-School field trip.
#3. After a tag-team effort by Dad and Izzy on Lorin (accused of stealing Ryan's blankie)...to the Insta-Care she went. Not stitches, just some glue. (for full story see Lorin's blog)#4. A peak into Cory and my not-so-distant future. He's 30-sumpthin' and I've got artheritis--we're practically there. FYI not real...apples!

Having Grandma Here...and Ryan again

Another Ryan story first...so going out to the garage...Ryan waiting for the garage door to be opened so she can go around to the other side of the van...Izzy close by...I push the button and turn back to grab a bag and close the door...I hear a pretty intense wimper...turn to see Ryan almost to the top, hanging on for dear life to the bottom of the garage door...Izzy sucking her thumb almost directly under Ryan as she watches her go up...not saying a word. Luckily I got there just in time to bump Izzy (still staring and sucking) out of the way and grab Ryan before her fingers gave out. I tried to scold Izzy for not hollering (contrary to the norm in our family, we have to actually convince her to open her mouth and say things every now and again), but she just kept smiling with her raised eyebrows saying, "Mom, did you see that?!!"

Anyway...Grandma got to come for 2 weeks and it was awesome. Cancer appointments with help!


Landscaping with a lady who's brilliant at it (and who did most of the work--go mom!). We also decorated my house finally and played lots of games. What a great break she is :)
Going to Chillis at 8:00 p.m. for dessert was a blast!
Izzy started Pre-school today!!! She's so excited!!

Ryan has been going to Joy School for a month now. Loving it!

Lorin loves it when we come to school and have lunch with her...cute sisters! Notice the leftover healthy stuff...saving room for the ice-cream treat I allotted :)
Finally, while my Mom was here, Cory and I got to go on a couples retreat sponsored by Cory's job. A weekend in the mountains of West Virginia hiking, kyaking, getting Swedish massages, horse-back riding, fancy dinners each night followed up by some intense game-playing with our homies, and to top it off the best fireworks (choreographed to music) I've ever seen directly above our heads as we ate desserts around the pool on the golf course. We felt pretty spoiled to get to do that! Thanks Mom...again :)


I should have carried my camera around. But thanks to Katie Baird, my good friend who went horse-back riding with me, I've got this one to show for it.